Williams solid in opener
By Andrew Baggarly
Special to The Advertiser
SAN FRANCISCO — Michael Tucker pumped his fist after his grand slam in the eighth inning gave the San Francisco Giants the lead. But it was Jerome Williams who really had the emotions going in a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies yesterday afternoon.
Photos by Eric Risberg • Associated Press
Williams had a sensational season debut, holding the Rockies to a run on five hits over seven innings. After the game, the 23-year-old Waipahu High graduate said he was going straight home to call his father.
Jerome Williams pitched well, but left with the Giants trailing 1-0. San Francisco went on to win 4-2.
"I know what he'll say,'' Williams said. "He'll tell me, 'Great job, but you should have kept on pitching.' "
Williams' father, Glenn Sr., is recovering in Honolulu after undergoing liver and kidney transplant surgeries last week. Williams returned home during spring training to spend time with his dad.
"I knew for a fact he was listening on the radio,'' Williams said. "I'll listen to whatever he tells me. He basically put me here (in the big leagues).''
Williams worked quickly, threw strikes and needed only 89 pitches to get through seven innings. But he didn't earn a decision because the Giants trailed 1-0 until Tucker's slam in the eighth.
"I guess I get credit for the win but Jerome should have it,'' said left-hander Scott Eyre (1-0), who tossed a scoreless inning. "I could tell he was excited, but he didn't let it all out. He pitched with it.
"I can't read minds, but it seemed to me he pitched with a lot of emotion.''
Giants relief pitcher Scott Eyer said of Williams (above): "I can't read minds, but it seems like he pitched with a lot of emotion."
Williams struck out five and the only walk he issued was intentional. The only run he allowed came in the fifth inning, when Matt Holliday scored from third base on a double-play grounder.
Before the game, Giants manager Felipe Alou said the team would skip Williams' next turn in the rotation. The Giants have days off Monday and Thursday, so skipping Williams allows the team to keep the rest of the staff on a semi-regular schedule.
Williams is penciled in to pitch April 19 at San Diego.
Before then, Alou said he would consider pitching Williams out of the bullpen. But after yesterday's strong performance, the Giants might revisit that plan.
"I'm not disappointed,'' Williams said. "As long as I go out and pitch strong like today, that's all that matters. It's the nature of the game. You go with the flow and trust the people around you.''
